VE Series II audio upgrade

[adam_4049]

Hi all. I have just purchased a new series II SV6 and am appalled with the filthy papercone sounding speakers that are installed.

I love my my music and sound quality is a must and understand that it's always going to be hard to get some serious sound quality off a stock head unit.

I am wanting to replace the factory splits with some better ones as well as the 2 ways in the door. I do not want to go all out with the subs so i am going to get some pretty decent 8" subs and put them in a parcel tray all running off a couple amps mounted to the underside of the parcel try.

I am an audio enthusiast and know a fair bit about it all although when you don't know things from experience is always good to ask. I am reading alot about people using LOC's or line level converters. From experience can anyone tell me whats the best way to go, getting a LOC or getting an amp that has speaker level inputs?? IMO the amp with the speaker level inputs would be the way to go but i may be wrong.

Also with the new IQ system when you turn the ignition off the stereo still plays so hooking up my amps remote to the ignition is going to be silly. Obviously if you get the upgraded stereo system they come with subs and an amp, surely there is a remote wire standard off the HU can anyone confirm this?? Ive got a diagram of the series 1 HU with the big screen in the SSV's and the connctors are on the drivers side kick panel, is this wiring the same as the series 2??

Also, centre speaker is the first thing to go, can't believe they did such a thing (but yes i know it works well if you have the sat nav installed) apparently there is 4 wires coming off this, can i use these to run the 2 x 8" subs and is there actually 4 wires (2 sets) or is there sub outs that they would use for the upgraded stereo system?? Anyone got photos of pulling the centre speaker cover out? Its my first new car and am scared to pull it apart i dont want to break anything lol

Appreciate your help everyone.

[HUX 90]

I've spoken to a few car audio shops and they have all recomended amps with speaker level inputs over LOCs because you get much better sound quality.

If your going to put subs in the parcel tray you'll need free air subs (correct me if im wrong)

A signal processor such as the JBL MS8 or Rockford Fosgate 3.sixty whould give you much better sound quality as the factory head unit distorts the signals when the volume is over 20.

Dynamatt or another type of sound deadener should be used to give you nice clean bass and sound quality and to stop unwanted rattles and vibration.

I have Alpine type R 6.5" splits and a 4" Polk DB401 centre speaker and I am quite impressed with the quality. I am also looking at getting an Alpine MRP F600 amp to power the splits and a Sub.

I have photos on my profile of me replacing the centre speaker if you need some reference.

Also where about are you located have you contacted any audio shops in your area?

Hope this information helps.

[adam_4049]

Cheers for the reply mate. Yeah i was leaning more towards the amps with the high level inputs as i thought one less "process" the cleaner the sound.

Yeah the subs will need to be free air subs and i'll be dynamatting the parcel tray, top and bottom just in case. Any idea if the type R 8" Alpine subs are, if not, know of any that are a good quality??

How do you like the Alpine splits, are they running off an amp or straight off the deck??

I am aiming for an all alpine setup, splits, 2 ways, amp and subs but being “alpine” branded they obviously come with a price. I have alyways used jaycars products. Loved the response 6.5” Kevlar splits with the ribbon tweeters. I find the ribbon tweeters give superb sound quality and a set comes in at $100 less then the type R alpine splits.

Has anyone had experience with the 2 and can differentiate sound quality?? I am wanting to go the Alpine setup but don’t want to spend the extra if I don’t have to.

[calais_cruzin]

Look at other brands for speakers, alpine do make good speakers but u can get better for cheaper or around the same price with alot more gains

Cresendo opus3 are a really good budget speaker at aorund 400 mark

I run sum of the response kevs in the back of mine, these have no comparison to the focal woofer cresendo tweet set up i have as front stage.
Only good thing i like about the response woofer is that i works really well in a large space

Depends on what ur willing to spend

Try lookin at peerless or scan speak for 8"sub, i seen around alot of these being used in VE's here and G8's in the states

[HUX 90]

I doubt the 8" type R subs are free air, the only real problem with 8" subs are they handle punchy bass very well but they don't realy produce the lower frequency's as well as 10's or 12's from what I was told. But I guess just have a listen to some 8" subs and see how well they sound. Why do you want to mount subs in the parcel tray? Is it boot space your worried about or do you just want to have a nice clean factory sort of look

I am realy happy with my Type R speakers the handle quite well, the only bad point which I find with them are the tweaters can be a bit harsh sometimes when turned up quite loud but overall I'm realy happy with them, and they can take 110m RMS each side.

I am only running them off the factory deck ATM so I'm not using them to their full potential. I am looking at the MRP F600 amp to power the Type R it's a 4 channel amp with 100w RMS at 4ohm per channel (correct me if im wrong) so it would be suitable for the front splits and rear door speakers or imn my case bridging the two rear channels to power a soundstream stealth 13 sub.

I'm going to be using this site to get the rest of my gear from as they have realy good prices.
Alpine : Elite Electronics, Welcome to our Online Store

Your probably already going to do this but dynamtt the doors as well as the rattle when the music is up loud and it sounds aweful.

My friend has a Jarcar setup in his car and it sounds great (Front and Rear Splits plus a sub) so just have a listen and see what you like. If you go Alpine I think you'll be more then happy with the end result but that's just my 2c.

[adam_4049]

Well on the Apline website they do state a free air resonance which means they can handle it as to how well is another question. Basically i had a setup in my VX that was unbelievable. response splits up front and in the parcel tray and 2 x 12" subs, 2 amps and a 2 farad capacitor. I found that after a year i hardly cranked the stereo but loved the sound quality. It was alot of gear for not alot of use. When i decided to buy the VE, the quick example i got of the system sounded bearable, i didn't want to stuff around with it i wanted to keep it nice and stock, no mods no nothing, time to grow up (yeah right).

After having it for a couple weeks now i hate the sh!t out of the system, it makes me cringe every time i hear it so i do really want to upgrade it now but as you said i want to have a nice clean factory setup, no sub rolling around in the boot etc. I know the free air subs wont be good low range but hey lets face it, any bass is better than whats coming out of those crap speakers at the moment.

Well i'd say that your tweeters get quite harsh when you crank is because it's running of the deck and rather the deck is distorting first before the speakers so becareful not to do damage to your speakers.

I'm defintley thinking of going back to the jaycar splits, 2 ways and amp but i just need to make sure i select a good sub. Does your mate who has the jaycar sub have them running in the parcel tray or boxed in the boot??

Anyone else have a free air setup in the parcel tray i could maybe get a listen to??

[HUX 90]

I agree free air will definately be better then the horrible stock system. My mate has a 12" sub in the boot, it's not a VE sorry forgot to mention. I thought the same thing when I sold my VY with 2 x 12" subs and full speaker upgrade that it was time to grow up but I just couldn't handle the stock VE sound system any more.

I contact this guy over in Brisbane for advice with sound systems, he shipped a centre speaker over to me a couple months ago.
Alex Minassian Car Audio, Contact
I know he's done installs in VE's with free air subs in the parcel shelf so mabey get in contact with him and see what he recomends.

[adam_4049]

Has anyone used one of these in a free air application and can comment??

Pioneer TS-SW841D 8" Car Subwoofer - RYDA Car Audio($198.85)

[adam_4049]

Great thanks for that i'll give him a buzz and start making some phone calls and see what i can come up with.

I want to do the install my self, I always have and for some reason i thought i would leave it up to the "experts" to do my last set up but i was clearly wrong so i will be doing it all myself.

[hskisking]

If you are looking at spending 1k on speakers why not look at the Crescendo,Focal or boston.

You can get a top end set of focal or crescendo splits for about $900

But if you really love your sound qualitly why not put a bitone in as well

[adam_4049]

Attachment 120335@hskisking any idea what stores in sydney have them set up so i can have a listen. That's probably my best bet.

I was having a look at the boot in relation to the parcel tray and am thining about still putting the 8" subs in the parcel tray but boxing off below it ( in the boot) then carpeting it so it still looks standard, i still have most of the boot space and it's a clean finish. Very big boot space as you'll see in the pics.

[adam_4049]

Attachment 120336

A close up...

[hskisking]

Hi adam_4049

I would prob not put subs on the parcel shelf but put a sub in the boot and you can still retain boot space,but its personal preference.

i got mine done by fhrx studios in caringbah,Marty and his staff have great wealth of knoweldge in the audio area,i think he lets you try speakler in your own car.

The best thing to do before you spend the cash on components speak to marty first. Fhrx Studios Pty Ltd - Audio / Visual Specialists / fhrxstudios@bigpond.com.
and then you will know what you are looking at,my system is installed so that i still have my boot and as stock as possible as long as you have an idea of what you want he can try and find the best solution for you .

Will try and post some pics of the amps and sub if you want.